In recent times, the idea of youth participation in
governance has become a popular discourse in Nigeria. Young people are
getting more interested and sensitised on the need for active
participation in the decision-making process. It is on this note that
over 3000 youths across the country met last Thursday to chart a way
forward.The colourful event, tagged, "Young and Emerging Leaders
Summit", was organised by Network for Talent Discovery (NETAD), an
organisation committed to making positive contribution in ensuring
talent discovery and development, leadership development and fostering
patriotism among teenagers in the African continent and beyond.
The morning rain could not deter the participants who were
already seated by 10am at the magnificent Aduke Maina Hall, Federal
College of Education, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Some of them were youth leaders from Ogun, Lagos, Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo,
Osun, Kwara, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Kano, Gombe, among other states. Members
of the Youth Parliament, Ogun State, and the Nigerian Red Cross Society
were also at the summit.
Students of the Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, Federal
University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB), Premier Grammar School,
Abeokuta and Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta were also present in
their numbers.
In her keynote address entitled, “Youth Participation in Qualitative
Governance:Mirage or Reality?”, wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs.
Olufunso Amosun charged the youths to get themselves involved in the
process of evolving a better future, adding that the act of good or
qualitative governance is not an exclusive preserve of a particular
generation.
Mrs. Amosun, who was represented by the wife of the Deputy Chief of
Staff, Ogun State, Dr. (Mrs.) Rasheedat Salisu, said: “ As a mother, I
see our youths as the pivotal pillars with abundant and fresh energy
that can help us build a great future. It is a truism that ideas rule
the world. Our youths are full of ideas and they have responsibility to
come forward to make those ideas available so as to take our society to
the next level.
“The theme is very apt and timely, considering leadership challenges
our dear nation is passing through. Though these challenges are not
insurmount-able, it requires our concerted efforts to bring forth new
ideas in order to transform our society.”
The facilitator and Executive Coordinator of NETAD, Aanu Damola
Morenikeji thanked the participants for the success of the programme.
And in his presentation tagged: “Emerging Societies, Emerging Leaders”,
he described leaders as people who are able to think and act creatively
in non-routine situations and who set out to influence the actions,
beliefs and feelings of others to achieve set goals.
The 18-year-old Ogun State Youth Coordinator, Nigerian Red Cross
Society, and winner, Ogun State 2012 Youth Award for Excellence in
Health and Community Service, noted that 10,000 new leadership positions
shall emerge over the next de-cade in different fields.
“The world is changing. The world is emerging. Everything is
shifting, even nature. Only those who change along with it shall
survive. Only the unique folks, visionary leaders shall emerge to rule
in the new world order,” he asserted.
Morenikeji, who is an author (having written six story books) and
motivational speaker, told the participants that “the three things that
can stop you from becoming your dream is you! you!! and you!!!”
Another speaker, Ogunbowale Oludayo made a stimulating presentation.
Speaking on “Participation is you;Encouraging blue ocean participation”,
Oludaya who is President, DESPLAY Af-rica Republic, Season 7, defined
youth participation as young people getting involved in what happens
around them and decisions that affect their lives and well-being.
He enumerated corruption, bad governance, non functional education,
hike in fuel pump price, poor health care, unemploy-ment, inequality,
among other problems, as some of the reasons that call for their
participation.
“Get involved today in social change and what’s happening around you!
Nigeria, democracy, your community offers a unique space and
possibilities....what do you offer as youths? To live is to
participate!” he charged.
Similarly, National President of The Young Journalists Fo-rum,
Ayodele Samuel Ayokunle pointed that there are over 45 million young
people in Nigeria, yet 90 per cent of these populations are not
involved in decision-making process while less than 50 percent have
access to one form of social media.
Making a presentation on “Youth Participation in Gover-nance and
Decision Making; Using the Social Media Effectively in Nigeria,"
Ayokunle urged the tech-savvy young Nigerians to gear up to use
BlackBerries, mobile phones and social networking services such as
Twitter and Facebook to contribute to decision making process.
Interestingly, budding artistes, comedians and others displayed their
talents to the admiration of everybody in the hall. Participants were,
however, given certificates.
NOTE: The above article was written by Leonard Okachie and published by National Mirror. Click here to view story.
